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The audio module card uses electrolytic capacitors, but I think if the solid state capacitors can be in place of them, the quality of sound will be better. Booting scene BIOS main option page Voltage and FSB option setting page: The following 3 settings are new functions: 1.CPU Clock Amplitude=>Clock Generator, The voltage enhances function. The default setting is 800mV. 2.CPU Clock 0 Skew=>CPU’s Clock signal, this option is for increasing the stability with FSB while overclocking 3.CPU clock 1 Skew =>NB’s clock, this option is also for increasing the stability with FSB while overclocking DRAM multiplier option CPU Feature DRAM parameters option: Clock Fine Delay: This function is mainly for pushing the limit of memory by its “characteristic” Voltage page: CPU VID Special Add +12.5mV~787.5mV DRAM Voltage 1.800~3.375V SB Core/CPU PLL Voltage 1.510~2.380V NB Core Voltage 1.265~2.040V CPU VTT Voltage 1.100~1.603V (These are reference for Quad core CPU)

Intel launched its X38 almost more than 3, 4 months. Then, X48 also shows up in the market this year. Since X48 has been postponed the official launch time, so many gossip about X38 and X48 were upon the internet. Users are compares with X38 and X48 so hard recently. X48 is around the corner now. So, X38 still the highest-end of Intel’s product line. Coz, the price of DDR3 memory is still sky-high in market, therefore, DDRII + X38 chipset seems the best choice for a super C/P ratio platform. The review target board this time is LANParty DK X38-T2R, which belongs to LANParty series, an entry level overclocking board. The package box is still reminding the same in Black color. Accessories inside the box The Northbridge heat sink is the same with LT X38. The thermal paste is high quality product. DFI LANParty DK X38-T2R The lower left of the motherboard: 2 x PCI-EX16(CrossFire mode in X16+X16) 1 x PCI-EX4 3 x PCI Realtek ALC885 7.1 channels audio codec The lower right of the boar 1 x Floppy 6 x SATAII,ICH9R ICH9R??RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 0+1 and RAID 5 Built-in power/Reset button and debug light, a good design for DIY users. The upper right parts: 1 x IDE 4 x DIMM DDRII supports 667/800/1066 The upper right: The board incorporates with 4-phase digital PWM IO parts: 6 x USB 2.0 1 x 1394 1 x Gigabit LAN Red jumper is for clear CMOS function.

CPU: 480X7.5=>3600Mhz DRAM: DDRII 1152 CL5 5-5-15 Super PI 1M&CPUMARK99 PCMARK2005 CrystalMark CINEBENCH R10 CORSAIR TWIN2X2048-6400C4+DFI LanParty DK P35-T2RS=>??? DDRII 1180 CL5 5-5-15 2.3V 2XSP2004 Thanks:)

Intel Xeon X3320 45nm,L2 6MB,333X7.5=>2.5G OC Quad core CPU-DFI LanParty DK P35-T2RS CPU:INTEL XeonX3220 MB: DFI LanParty DK P35-T2RS DRAM:CORSAIR TWIN2X2048-6400C4 VGA:MSI NX8800GT T2D256E HD:Seagate 7200.10 320G POWER:Corsair HX520W Modular Power Supply Cooler:Thermaltake Max Orb Default CPU: 333X7.5=>2500Mhz DRAM: DDRII 800 CL4 4-4-12 Super PI 1M&CPUMARK99 PCMARK2005 CrystalMark CINEBENCH R10 CPUZ 1.40 show Q9300 is error OC 1.328V 3.6G 4XSuper PI32M

3DMARK2005 3DMARK2006 Test platform setup CPU:INTEL Core 2 Extreme QX6800 MB: ASUS P5K Pro DRAM:CORSAIR Dominator TWIN2X2048-8888C4DF VGA:MSI NX8800GT T2D256E HD:Seagate 7200.10 320G POWER:Corsair HX520W Modular Power Supply Cooler:Thermaltake Max Orb Intel QX6800,OC 500Mhz 518Mhz,Single SuperPI 32M CORSAIR DDRII 1111 CL4 OC DDRII 1200 CL5 2.10V full loading DDRII 1200 CL4 4-4-9 memory bandwidth test MSI 8800GT 256MB,660/1900 3DMARK2003 3DMARK2005 3DMARK2006 ASUS P5K Pro about 142USD Thanks:)

BIOS Test platform setup CPU:INTEL Core 2 Duo E2160 MB: ASUS P5K Pro DRAM:CORSAIR Dominator TWIN2X2048-6400 G VGA:ELSA 850GT RA 256B3 2DT RH HD:Seagate 7200.10 320G POWER:Corsair HX520W Modular Power Supply Cooler:Thermaltake Max Orb Intel E2160,400X8=>3.2G CORSAIR DDRII 800 CL5 OC DDRII 1113 CL5 2.08V full loading ELSA 8500GT RA 256B3 2DT RH,600/2000 3DMARK2003

let’s take a look on packing design. Inside stuff ASUS P5K Pro board Left down side Down right down side Up right side Up left side IO port North bridge.

CPU 389X9=>3500Mhz 1.425V Super PI 1M/CPUMARK BIOS overclock setup adjust tips For CPU setup: When FSB set on 400MHz *8, CPU voltage depends on it’s capability, you may try 1.325V~1.40V. About NB voltage, 1.45V/SB IO power, 1.8V will auto set to this voltage to help overclock, you can adjust the voltage to default numbers. DRAM setup: DRAM voltage set on 2.10V with 1:1.5 ratio For the latency, recommend CL5-5-5-15, TRFC also adjust to 48 to help memory overclock. Use RivaTuner to overclock VGA Choose System Setting You can choose Core and Memory frequency, test and try the best frequency under crush or break 3D image frequency. On CPU performance, C2D presents great, especially the numbers after overclock. The early stage E2160 did not have good overclock limited as E2140, but new stage E2160 is not bad. Use slim type original may have chance to be stable with 3.2GHz, over 3.5GHz is possible if enhance the cooling. DRAM overclock range is higher than my evaluate, DDRII-1100 didn’t need high voltage. CORSAIR brand image and warranty is really good in Europe and America, the only concern is the price will be higher than normal brand. MB CPU voltage is not correct on CPU-Z monitor, hope new version BIOS could fix the issue. For 100USD P35 motherboard, FSB200 CPU can overclock to FSB400 and stable, 4 PCI slot and good DRAM overclock ability, this board did have excellent Cost/Performance ratio. VGA price is little bit higher than normal 8500GT, but compare with better 8600GT is also cheaper, the only cons is the VGA cooler is not quiet. 3D default performance close to 8600GT level, use 8600GTS PCB and great overclock range, this ELSA VGA can take consideration both cost and performance. I want to make this review to have entry/mid level platform recommendation, let end users can purchase a cheaper PC platform with good performance value, and also take care good overclock capability, also can bring great benefit for users. This combination is not the only choice, just my personal pick for best value recommend, users can depends on their budget, favor or what can purchase in different regional. Once users have more information to compare, they can choose their own PC components smarter, that’s my wish. Will we have AMD platform recommends? I’m not sure, but hope I could have time to make it, wish all of you have a better year after Chinese New Year!

Overclock setup test CPU: 400X8=>3200.1Mhz 1.375V DRAM: DDRII 1000 CL5 VGA: 690/ 2250 Super PI 1M/CPUMARK PCMARK2005 CrystalMark CINEBENCH 3DMARK2003 3DMARK2005 3DMARK2006 3.2G 1.375V SP2004 stable DRAM DDRII 1100 CL5 5-5-15 2.10V Dual SP2004 stable EVEREST&Sandra memory bandwidth test

Test platform setup CPU:INTEL Core 2 Duo E2160 MB: MSI P35 Neo3 DRAM:CORSAIR TWIN2X2048-6400 G VGA:ELSA 850GT RA 256B3 2DT RH HD:Seagate 7200.10 320G POWER:Corsair VX450W Power Supply Cooler: Intel original cooler Default setup test CPU: 200.9X7=>1807.3Mhz DRAM: DDRII 803 CL5 VGA: 600/2000 Super PI 1M/CPUMARK PCMARK2005 CrystalMark CINEBENCH 3DMARK2003 3DMARK2005 3DMARK2006

In 2007, the national economic storm impact and material cost raised situation, most end users did treat their money more carefully, especially on livelihood and other extra spend. I think that’s also the trend to save money and reduce the waste spend in 2008. Maybe PC products is only 3C tools, not human livelihood must. But how to purchase cheaper and better value products to save unnecessary cost is also an important subject all the time. This time we use Intel Platform for example, hope to use entry level cost to buy better overclock potential platform and make it become high value PC system. On CPU side, Here we have Intel C2D E1200 or E2160 with great value. Because E2140 almost EOL, so I use E2160 retail 72USD in Taiwan, of course the E1200 will have lower cost with 20USD less. But they are all comes with good overclock value. CPU Packing Product serial number. Inside stuff E2160 CPU Memory module selection: After DDR2 price crushed in late 2007, now everybody have cheap memory modules can choose. Maybe this is not cheaper option to pick CORSAIR DDRII-800 1GB*2, but this is the best brand for overclock module selection. The cost is about 60USD, depends on different regional retail difference. CORSAIR TWIN2X2048-6400 G Motherboard selection: The hottest model in 2007 must be P35 chipset, now it’s still the best option. P35 chipset launched for a time, so all there are many competitors in all level segment. The MSI P35 Neo3 is close to mid-entry level price and with good overclock ability. This model retail price is about 100USD. For VGA side, I take more consider about 8500GT or 8600GT which is more value, then I saw ELSA 8500GT OC version with 8600GT PCB, performance and overclock ability is also good, so pick this with 95USD under retail price. 850GT RA 256B3 2DT RH

Test platform setup. CPU:AMD Athlon 64 X2 6400+/AMD Phenom 9600 MB: MSI K9A2 Platinum DRAM:CORSAIR Dominator TWIN2X2048-8888C4DF VGA:MSI NX8800GT-T2D256E HD:Seagate 7200.10 320G POWER:POWER:Corsair HX520W Modular Power Supply Cooler:Thermaltake V1 First we take a look on Athlon 6400+ test CPU OC 3520Mhz,Super PI 1M/CPUMARK99 DRAM present Dual SP2004 Blend test full loading. DDRII 1066 CL5 5-5-18 1.95V DDRII 1066 CL4 4-3-7 2.1V PCMARK2005 AM2 CPU got better die quality recently, we can see the 3.4G~3.6G overclock capability on 5000+/6400+ X2 high-end CPU. When comes with higher frequency, the performance is also closed to Intel platform, 3DMARK is only 5%~10% behind. Hope the AM2/AM2+ CPU could have 3.6G or higher frequency ability, that can make the platform more extra value. Then we use AMD new Phenom 9600, 3DMARK2003 3DMARK2005 3DMARK2006 PCMARK2005 CINEBENCH R10 CrystalMark AMD Phenom is the native Quad-Core CPU, but AM2+ CPU frequency behind AM2 a lot, now Phenom’s frequency limited is under 2.7G, it’s a pity, compare with Intel easy to over 3.5GHz, the extreme frequency will become the biggest condition for user. MSI K9A2 Platinum Pros: 1.Full solid capacitors, rich accessories, with 2 CrossFire bridge. 2.Good Circu-pipe design, AMD(ATI) chipset temp. is low. 3.Great improve on CPU frequency, up to 450~500MHz depends on CPU capability. 4.4x PCI-E VGA slot design, Power/Reset button. Cons: 1.Memory overclock ability is not good, use AM2 CPU can only run about DDR2 1066, BIOS needs to be improved on memory side. 2.The AMD platform performance is really behind Intel platform, so the high-end AMD motherboard is not really popular. After AM2+ CPU launched, we can see the new AMD motherboards also come out soon. This moment we only have AMD chipset based. Although AMD chipset motherboards price is lower than same segment Intel motherboards, but most users will consider CPU first when purchase PC platform, in this situation, AM2/AM2+ have to create more value for end users, besides price, frequency improvement is also the major subject to enhance total performance. It’s my first time to use AMD 790FX motherboard, besides FSB overclock great improvement, the features is also more deluxe. Hope we can have more new AMD platform motherboard on the market, make AM2+ motherboard become lower price, than user can have cheaper Quad-Core platform in 2008.

North bridge. South bridge. Boot up screen. Cell Menu CPU Voltage 1.219~1.468V(with Phenom9600) Memory Voltage 1.80~2.10V 1.80~2.10v stepping 0.05v,2.10~3.10V stepping 0.1V NB Voltage1.125V~1.525V Hypertransport Voltage 1.175~1.525V AM2+ HT Ratio Phenom memory ratio. DRAM configuration. MSI new product feature on BIOS – BIOS file saving, 2 set.

In the recent time, AMD launched new Phenom with native quad core CPU design. Of course, chipset will also comes faster to support new generation CPU. This time AMD’s new chipset called AMD 790FX, keep the naming rule from ATI. I think it’s still designed by ATI, still use old SB600 south-bridge chip. Hope AMD can use new SB700 chipset to enhance. MSI did good job to make AMD 790 chipset motherboards early to the market. They have K9A2 Platinum with 790FX chipset as high-end, and K9A2 CF with 790X chipset as mainstream. This time we present K9A2 Platinum, let’s take a look on packing design. Inside stuff Menu, XP/VISTA deiver. Cables USB/Debug light, 1394 port. 2x CrossFire bridge. MSI K9A2 Platinum board Left down side 2x PCI-E x16 (Run x16 + x16 when CrossFire.) 2x PCI-E x8 (Support newest CrossFire technology, install 4 VGA will run by x8+x8+x8+x8) 1x PCI-E x1 2x PCI Realtek ALC888 audio chip, 8 channel audio. Down right down side 4X SATAII,RAID 0, 1, 0+1 mode (SB600) 2X SATAII,RAID 0, 1, 0+1 mode (Promise T3) Up right side 24PIN power input 4DIMM DDR2, support DDR2 400/533/667/800/1066 on Phenom, DDR2 400/533/667/800 on AM2. Up left side 5 phase PWM Support AM2/AM2+ CPU IO port 2X eSATA(PromiseR T3) 1X 1394 4X USB 2.0 1X optical fibre , SPDIF Sink design.

SP2004 33? 75? Thermaltake V1 CPU: 427X8=>3416Mhz DRAM: DDRII 854 CL4 4-4-9 1.392V SP2004 Super PI 1M/CPUMARK E1200 about 53 USD Thanks:)

ELSA 8500GT 3DMARK2003 3DMARK2005 29? 45? OC CPU: 400X8=>3200Mhz DRAM: DDRII 800 CL4 4-4-9 VGA: 600/2000 Super PI 1M/CPUMARK PCMARK2005 CrystalMark CINEBENCH R10 3DMARK2003 3DMARK2005

Intel Core 2 Duo E6X00,266Mhz,4MB E6X50,333Mhz,4MB E8X00,333Mhz,6MB,45nm E4X00,200Mhz,2MB E2X00,200Mhz,1MB E1X00,200Mhz,512KB the package Intel Dual Core E1200 cooler CPU:INTEL Celeron E1200 MB: DFI LANParty DK P35 T2RS DRAM:CORSAIR Dominator TWIN2X2048-8888C4DF VGA:ELSA 850GT RA 256B3 2DT RH HD:Seagate 7200.10 320G POWER:Corsair HX520W Power Supply Cooler:Intel cooler CPU: 200X8=>1600Mhz DRAM: DDRII 800 CL4 4-4-9 VGA: 600/2000 Super PI 1M/CPUMARK PCMARK2005 CrystalMark CINEBENCH R10

I recalled that Intel was just launched its Yorkfield 45nm quad core CPU Intel release Core 2 Quad QX9650 333X9=>3G cache 6MB x 2 version to replace the 65nm QX6850 333X9=>3G cache 4MB x 2. Meanwhile, the Dual core Wolfdale(45nm) CPU will be launched in market before this month. I hope that can improve the issues of high temperature and high power consumption when the system runs under high FSB. It really surprise me that Intel releases a higher model of Quad core CPU later on, the core 2 quad CPU, QX9770, 400x8 => 3.2G, cache up to 6MB x 2. That is the highest end model of the series. Also, it is another model that breakthrough 3G after dual coreE8500. You guys might know that C2D’s FSB could be reach 450~600MHz. Besides, C2Q’s FSB is also can climb up to 400 to 500MHz. This is the first in history that Intel set their C2Q processor’s default FSB At 400MHz. Let’s take a look at our super star, Intel Core 2 Quad QX9770. It test with the Motherboard DFI LANParty LT X38-T2R Up to now, there is only X48 chipset can be officially supports rated FSB1066 processor. Some likes P35 or X38 may occurs problem while the FSB is around 1333/1066. But one thing I knew is, most of motherboard manufacturers are putting efforts to fix those BIOS issue of P35/ X38 right now. I believe that won’t be a problem soon that P35 & X38 motherboard can support QX9770 stably. The specification of the test system CPU:INTEL Core 2 Quad QX9770 MB: DFI LANParty LT X38 T2R DRAM:CORSAIR Dominator TWIN2X2048-8888C4DF VGA:ELSA 8800GT 512M HD:Seagate 7200.10 320G POWER:POWER:Corsair HX520W Modular Power Supply Cooler:Thermaltake V1 CPU: 400X8=>3200Mhz DRAM: DDRII 800 CL3 3-3-9 SUPER PI 32M&CPUMARK SUPER PI 32MX4 PCMARK2005 CrystalMark CINEBENCH R10 OC CPU: 400X10=>4000Mhz 1.328V DARM: DDRII 800 CL3 3-3-9 SUPER PI 32M&CPUMARK SUPER PI 32MX4 PCMARK2005 Crystal Mark CINEBENCH R10 ELSA 8800GT 512M,600/1800 3DMARK2003 3DMARK2005 3DMARK2006 Frankly, the 45nm process CPU is really having more advantages in overclocking. The previous model 65nm process CPU QX6X00 series, the 3.6G with 1.35 to 1.45V is almost shows the excellence of itself. The new process, 45nm, brings an obvious improvement in performance. I found that QX9x00 series(45nm) CPU is easy to reach 4G stably under 1.4V. In fact, I didn’t make any temperature comparison between the heats out from the CPU cooler of 45nm & 65nm CPU. But I felt that the heat air out from 45nm CPU is lower than 65nm CPU. That is a big improvement on heat dissipation issue than C2D period. For my personal opinion, QX9770 is a brand new processor with 400MHz FSB, but the OC performance in FSB is a bit not as good as QX9650(with P35 & X38). Maybe the reason is something about that P35/ X38 are start at FSB 266/333MHz. I really hope that motherboard manufacturer will adjust the BIOS to let QX9770 to perform much better. Anyway, I will make a more formal comparison when X48 is launched. To see whether QX9770 can performs better. In-coming review: CORSAIR CM3X1024-1800C7DIN MSI X 38 Diamonds

The performance of the CPU, The Quad core FSB at 462MHz, stable at 4X Super PI 32M The performance of DDRII 1200 CL5 5-5-15 1.85V A single Super PI 32M stable 1.9V Dual SP2004, 2GB full loaded and stable 1200 CL4 4-4-9 2.35V Single Super PI 32M stable 2.41V Dual SP2004, 2GB also full-loaded stable The test of memory’s bandwidth The DRAM part, this board is “inherent” the good traditional from DFI, it still keeps the high record. It even can use a lower voltage setting than P35. 3D parts 8800GT OC 3DMARK2003 3DMARK2005 3DMARK2006 The basic performance of X38 is a little bit higher than P35, besides, the VGA supports x16 + x16 bandwidth. It just like a “value-add” for X38. DFI LANParty LT X38-T2R The merits: 1)a special style design for both package and relative covers 2)All solid-state capacitors 3)rich and variety BIOS setting and wide range of voltage options 4)8-phase digital PWM and the isolated Bernstein audio module 5)The board utilizes DDR2 for a cheaper cost to users. The performance is excellent The drawbacks: 1)The launch day of DFI X38 was two months later than the others 2)If the price of the LANParty X38 can be down a little, more users will love it, I think. 3)The OC of Quad core CPU doesn’t better than P35 X38/ P35, Intel made them as a main product in 2007. X38 is almost like P35, but the Dual x16 VGA and PCIe 2.0. The Quad cores CPU seems hard to reach the record of P35. but it still can reach 550 to 600MHz. If you want a upgrade VGA platform, X38 is almost a best choice for you, particularly it has dual x16 VGA and PCIe2.0 supports. But if budget is your first consideration. P35 is still the best choice for you!!

The voltage settings The DRAM’s voltage setting Northbridge’s voltage setting PC Health Status The test bed CPU:INTEL Core 2 Extreme QX6800/QX9770 MB: DFI LanParty LT X38-T2R DRAM:CORSAIR Dominator TWIN2X2048-8888C4DF VGA:ELSA 8800GT 512M HD:WD1600AAJS POWER:Corsair HX520W Modular Power Supply Cooler:Thermaltake V1 Software and monitoring control interface

IO parts: 6 x USB 2.0 1 x 1394 2 x Gigabit LAN (supports Teaming function) X38 Chipset has a different way to cover the chipset itself Installed Northbridge Start-up screen The ratio and voltage settings DRAM multiplier settings CPU Feature DRAM‘s settings This setting might be push the DRAM’s performance a bit higher

The most popular chipset of 1st half year of 2007 must be Intel’s P35 + ICH9R. So, X38 should be the most eye-catching chipset in the 2nd half year of 2007. The differences between X38 and P35 are PCI-E 2.0 and Crossfire bandwidth as x16 + x16. X38 is mainly support DDR3 memory. Some 1st tier manufacture has launched their X38 mobo around October. After a month, DFI also launched their X38 motherboard too. Meanwhile, DDR3 is relatively expansive. Therefore, DFI “mix and match” X38 with DDR2 for a higher C/P ratio product. The new model of X38 is a LANParty LT series. They uses mostly white and blue color to light up the package box with some special clothing. The accessories: The menu, Driver CD, Cables, IO shield. The audio part, they features Bernstein audio module, which uses ALC885 high definition codec. The north bridge heat sink DFI provides a high-level thermal paste- SHIN-ETSU X23-7783D As per last model LP680i, this one can also add a fan on the heat sink too. DFI LANParty LT X38-T2R motherboard: The lower left of the board *a total of three PCIe x16 slots (3way crossfire or a crossfire + physics render card) 1 x PCIe x1 slot 3 x PCI slots Below VIA chipset, is the connecting port of Bernstein audio The lower right: 1x Floppy 8 x SATA II (ICH9R + JMB 363) ICH9R supports RAID 0, 1, 0+1, 5 JMB363 supports RAID 0, 1 The upper right: 1x IDE 4x DIMM DDRII support 667/ 800/ 1066. The upper left: LANParty series keep using 8-phase digital PWM for CPU power supplying. I know you can order a Transpiper separately.

MARS is FOXCONN1st board for own brand Few days ago, I have reported all + and – of MARS During this period, more and more markets have MARS boards After updating to 11/15 BIOS, some function is enhanced Just quick note for the update FOXCONN MARS P35 board New BIOS correct the fault for CPU cannot adjust the voltage than default voltage CPU:INTEL Core 2 Extreme QX6800 MB: FOXCONN MARS P35 DRAM:CORSAIR Dominator TWIN2X2048-8888C4D VGA:ELSA 8800GT 512M HD:Seagate 7200.10 320G POWER:Corsair VX450W Power Supply Cooler:Thermaltake V1 In the previous test, using the same QX6800 and the FSB was around 470Mhz It’s similar to the other 1st tier boards 470~485Mhz Quad Core FSB After updating, CPU FSB 500Mhz 4X SUPER PI 32M achieved Extreme FSB is 511Mhz 1X SUPER PI 32M This speed is over most P35 boards in the market In DRAM 422X9=>3797Mhz DDRII 1350 CL5 5-4-9 SUPER PI 1M&EVEREST Memory bandwidth Excellent speed with DDRII module in Intel chipset In 3D 400X9=>3600Mhz DDRII 1200 CL4 4-4-9 ELSA 8800GT OC 670/1933 3DMARK2003 3DMARK2005 3DMARK2006 Although MARS P35 is the 1st FOXCONN own branded board However, it’s completed matured board to compete with the others CPU voltage is only one of the minuses of the board. In packing, material usage, software, BIOS and OC are all good Let’s expecting the forthcoming MARS new board.

Thanks your support and help, I'll do my best!!THANK YOU^^

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